Fake NBA Trade of the Day 6/30/16: Jodie Meeks to Phoenix

*Jodie Meeks was traded to Orlando by Detroit after this was published.

Every day, Pick and Popovich will post one fake trade and explain why it makes sense for every team involved to make it. There are no parameters beyond fitting within the salary cap. Sometimes the trades will involve stars, others role players. They are not grounded in actual rumors, they just make sense on paper.

Phoenix Suns Receive:

Jodie Meeks

Aron Baynes

Pistons 2017 First Round Pick

Detroit Pistons Receive:

Phoenix 2019 2nd Round Pick (Top-55 Protected)

Why Detroit would make this trade: True max cap space for Detroit without giving up one of their top six players (seven if you include Henry Ellenson)? Sure, that’s worthwhile. They could go sign ANOTHER three-and-D guard to join their collection and maybe still have enough left over for a backup point guard. How would Evan Fournier and Rajon Rondo look in Detroit?

Why Phoenix would make this trade: They’re not gonna use that cap space, so might as well snag a first rounder for it.